Panel mounting structure



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United States Patent 3,167,823 PANEL MOUNTING STRUCTURE Albert J.Palfey, Midland, Mich., assignor to The Dow Chemical Company, Midland,Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 153,411 6Claims. (Cl. 20-565) This invention relates to an improvement in panelmounting structures of the window-like type.

The conventional method of installing glazing is to retain the glass ina window sash groove. The four sash sides frame the glass sash; cornersare fastened together to complete the assembly. In the alternative, sashgrooves may be formed with retaining strips, or stops. The window sash,which may be wood, metal, plastic, or other rigid or semi-rigidmaterial, requires a resilient caulking, or other resilient retainer toseparate the sash from the glass to prevent glass breakage due to. sashdimensional change, or vibration.

When glazing is installed in a sash, good practice requires allowance ofa space, say Ms, between the peripheral dimensions of the glass, and thesash. Such an arrangement allows the panel, on glazing, to move freelywhen subject to thermal changes, or structural movement which contactsthe sash. This spacing may be filled with A more specific object is toprovide a panel mounting structure in which a window assembly isprotected against vibration, expansion, shock and frame shifting.

A'further object is to provide a panel mounting having a sealant whichallows a certain degree of movement of the window assembly within thesupporting sash, or frame, without distortion of the gasket.

Still another object is to provide a panel assembly which will Withstandthe elements, and will not deteriorate because of ozone ladened air,ultra-violet light, solvents used in glazing cleaning compounds, andother causes.

A further object is to provide a window assembly including a frame, orsash support, made of wood, metal or other materials, having an improvedfinal appearance.

These and further objects and features of the invention will become moreapparent from the following description and accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective View of a panel assemblyillustrative of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view of a modified panel assembly incorporating theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view of a window assembly embodying'the principlesof the invention;

a flexible type caulking compound, or an extruded rub- I ber, vinyl,etc. channel gasket.

The present commercially available caulking compounds generally are notentirely satisfactory because the oils, or other components thereof, areoften absorbed in wood sash and wood retainers. This presents anundesirable appearance and often causes the wood finishes to fail. Othercaulking compounds deficient of oils, or other fluids, may become rigidwithin a few months after application, thus losing the desiredflexibility. Many caulking compounds are extruded from the sash becauseof glazing expansion. This is not only unsightly, but often the caulkingdoes not return to original position after the glazing has contracted,resulting in cracks and subsequent leakage. Flexible strips used inplace of caulking compounds do not generally provide for a permanenttight seal, and foreign material eventually finds its way into the sealand leaks occur. Practically all such seals made of organic materialseventually fail when exposed to the elements, deterioration occurringbecause of ozone laden air, ultraviolet light rays, solvents used inglazing cleaning compounds, etc.

The panel mounting structures of the present invention represent adistinct improvement over those of the known prior art, and avoid manyshortcomings thereof. Briefly, the inventive concept embraces the use ofa polyethylene foam gasket which is placed about the periphery of awindow assembly, and which cushions the latter when supported in thewindow sash, or frame. The compressive properties of the gasket are suchas to provide full support to the window assembly along the entire loadbearing edge, and eliminates the need for lead quarter point supports.In addition, the gasket may be re-used if necessary, or desired. Asealant is used to protect the gasket from the atmosphere, moisture,dirt, dust or other undesired foreign matter. The sealant has excellentadhesion properties relative to wood, glass, metal and most othermaterials. However, when applied to polyethylene foam there is nobonding effect, thus allowing a certain degree of movement of the windowassembly within the supporting sash, or framewithout distortion of thegasket. The main object of the invention is to provide an improvement inpanel mounting structures of the windowlike type.

FIG. 4 is a section View of another window assembly embodying theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of the window assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective-like view illustratingdetails of construction as used in the FIG. 4 assembly;

FIG. 7 is a section view of a further modification embodying theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a graph showing typical stress-strain curves, and showing alsorecovery from initial compression, of a gasket material used in windowassemblies embodying the principles of the invention; and

FIG. 9 to FIGv 14, inclusive, illustrate cross-section views of variousgasket forms used in window assemblies embodying the principles of theinvention.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, a panel,or window-like assembly 20 is illustrated which includes a pane of glass22 supported in parallel relation to a similar size sheet of wood, orhard board 24, on which written matter 26, or other information may becarried. If desired, a pane of glass, or other material, may besubstituted for the board 24. The elements 22 and 24 are maintained inspaced relation by a metal tubing 28 having openings 29, which tubingcommonly is made of aluminum, and which has a silica gel filling 30. Thelatter absorbs any water vapor trapped between the elements 22 and 24. Aspace is provided between the outer edge of the tubing 28 and theperipheral edge of the elements 22 and 24-, which space is filled with asealant 32. While various types of sealant may be used, the inventiveconcept embraces the preferred use of a sealant identified as No. 780,made by the Dow Corning Corporation. The specified sealant is an uncuredsilicon rubber with an acid hardener, such as acetic acid, thecombination of which, when brought into contact with moisture in thesurrounding atmosphere, results in a curing of the rubber. Theadvantages of the specified sealant are: it provides a single componentsystem, and is available in caulking cartridges ready for use; it hassuperior adhesive properties relative to glass, wood and metal; and, ithas excellent resistance to climatic conditions, i.e., temperature andultra-violet light. The peel strength of the No. 780 sealant isapproximately 20 lbs. per sq. in. upon glass, metals or wood. The panelassembly thus formed, is surrounded by a compressible U-shaped gasket34, which is adapted to support the panel assembly in a frame matelymeans consisting of a sill, or sash 36 and a pair of preferred use of anextruded polyethylene foam produced-1 by the Dow Chemical Company, andidentified by their;

registered trademark Ethafoam. Thephysical properties of the specifiedgasket'rnaterial are fully set forth in the Company Bulletin 171-125A.The graph of FIG. 8 illustrates a typical stress-strain curve(compression ratev of 20inches per minute) of Ethafoam; the area enclosed by thehysteresis loop gives the percent work energy loss at aparticular degree of compression. The advantages of the specified gasketmaterial are: it is relatively low in cost; has a closed cell structure,hence does not absorb, nor is wetted by water; easy to handle; non-toxicand odorless; low density (1.8 to 2.2 lbs. per cu. ft.); low thermalconductivity (K factor=0.35 B.t.u.s./hr. ft. in P); good ozoneresistanceygoodsolvent resistance; and can be extruded in continuousstrips, and be wound on a reel; I

Two similar spaces, defined by an outer edge of the gasket 34, an outerside of the pane 22. and the board 24, and an inner side of a strip 38,are filledwith the seal-ant 32. A further char-actertistioof the sealant32, i.e., No;

applied in the peripheral spaces member 50. a i The embodiments shown inFIGS. 3.:to 7, utilize'the same type of compressible foam and sealantarrangements as described in connection with the embodiments'illustratedin FIGS. '1' and 2. vF-or the purpose of brevity, these will be brieflydescribed using the'same numerals for like 1 parts as used in the FIGS.1 land 2 embodiments.

ThBarr-angement shown in FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which ado-uble pane wind ow assembly 52*.is arranged on an outside sill member54, with a removable inside sill member; 56-oompressing the gasket 34,and holdingthe assembly 52 position upon thesill member 54; I

In 1 16.4 a double pane insulating window assembly .58 is supported in awooden "frame or sash-assembly 60,hav,-

ing a groove 62 for receipt of the assembly 58.; V The vele-- meritsforming the sash assembly oflmay be mitered" at each endQas best seen inFIG. 5. A maskingtapeMrm-ay be employed at each cornerto holdthe-gaskets in positionupon the assembly 58. prior to installation intheframe assembly 60, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

.. sembly 66 whereinthe side extensions, or legs of the 780, whichvmakes it especially suitable for the presentv purposes, is that it doesnot bond to polyethylene,-thus degreeor' movement without distortion. p

In fixing the strips. 38 in position, the gasket 34 is compressedbetween thestrips 38 to athickness of approxi Glass in windowassembliesis convention: ally supported at base quarter.- points toassure support, espediallyin installations of large size. The A thicklead blocks customarily usedto support insulating glass, may beeliminatediwhen using the teachings of the invention An irregular .basesupport may cause the glass to bear at a single point, which may resultin glass failure when subject to forces such as building movement,moisture expansion of wood, etc; The gasket 34 will provide forcontinuous glass support along the entire length, thus eliminating thedanger of glass failure as associated with conventi-onal installationmethods. 7 The gasket 34 can readily carry loads generallyencountered inlarge window installations. For example, a

double glazed window 48" wide by '72" high by 1 thick 7 weighs about 157pounds. Such a window will produce a unit pressure of 3.28' lbs. per sq.in. on the supporting that such a load will cause less than 5%compression of' the gasket. 7 n V The modified forms shown in FIGS. 2 to7 inclusive,

. the roof portion byf-astening means, or Welding, as the case may be.The panels 44 are maintained in spaced rela tion within the peripheralopening define'd by the skirt 48 and member 56, by means of the metaltubing 28 containing a silica gel filling StiQand having openings 29.The gasket 34', of extruded polyethylene foam, surrounds the peripheraledge ofthe panelassembly and maintains the panels 44 in spaced relationto the skirt 43, the member I .50, and the inner surface of the roofportion 46. Sealant .32, preferably thatpreviously identified as No.-780, is

base.- Referring to the curve in FIGJS, it will be seen V gasket Sagareunevenly compressed by application of retaining strips osha'ving taperedinner wall portions The strips'68 are: secured to a sill, 'orframemember 72;

by fastening means such as SCI6WS74-g V p r The material from which -thegaskets :are,made,'-preferably FEthafo'am, may be compressed 50%with-about 15 lbs per sq. in; load. This force may beg-reater thandesired to compress a window ga'sket to: such a degree in positionagainst the sides of the gasket.

In FIGS. 12 and 1 3, the dashed lines indicate the side legs of thegasket. 1 p

The ioregoing description hasbeen given in det-iilwithout thought oflimitation since the. inventive principles involved are capable ofassuming totherforms without de-' the? invention or the scope of theparting from the spirit of foliowingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a panel mounting. structure 'havingafsheet-like element supportedin a groove meansofla frame,ra'resilient. gasket.extendingaround theperiphery of the sheet like element tor support Within the" groove meansof the m'ent'with a wall of the gro'ove means, thegasket, and'the"sheet-like element, said sealant being noneadhering to said gasketbutbeing; adhesively bonded to thsheet-like element and the groove means ofthe framel'i 2. In a panel mounting struoture'having a windowassemblysuppo rted in ;a groove means of frame which extends, abontthewindow assembly, a U sha ped polymeric foam gasket extending around theperiphery of the window assembly -for suppontwithinthe groove means ofthe frame,qtanda sealant extending about the window'assemw bly and"inwardly spaoed. fromiits periphery in engage meiitwith a wan of thegroove means," the gasket, and the. window assembly, said sealant beingnon-adhering to said'gasket but being'adhesively bonded .to the Windowassembly .andthe groove means of theframe', 7

3. In a. panel mounting structure havinga window assemblysupported in agroovemeans of'a frame which-exapplied in the peripheralspace definedbetween the inner,

surfaces of panels '44,-the gasket 34, and an exterior sur face oif'the'tubing 28, 1 The same type of; sealant 32 is tends about the windowassembly; a Ushapedpolyethylen-e foam gasket positioned about theperiphery; of the window assembly for support within the groove means ofthe frame, saidwindowlassembly being arranged insaid gnoove means toiorm {aspacebetween theedges of-the gasket legs and thesides of thewindow assembly vas well 'defined by the exterior surfaces-of the panels44, the gasket 34, ski-rt 48, and

relatively small'lo-ad to place the retainerstrip' V V the cross sectionshape after installation, whilethe form shown in" FIG14 is fior usewhere there is to be no compression on' as the walls of the groove, anda sealant Within said space which sealant is non-adhering to the gasketbut which forms a bond with the Window assembly and a Wall of thegroove.

4. In a panel mounting structure including a pair of panel elementspositioned in parallel spaced relation and a sash means formed toprovide a peripheral groove for receipt of said panel elements, a spacermeans positioned between the panel elements, a U shaped polyethylenefoam gasket arranged in said groove for support of the panel elements,and a sealant arranged between the spacer means and the panel elements,said sealant also being am'anged between the edges of said gasket andthe sides of said groove, said sealant being non-adhering to saidgasket.

5. In a panel mounting structure including a pair of panel elementspositioned in panallel spaced relation and a sash mean-s formed toprovide a peripheral groove for receipt of said panel elements, a metaltubing positioned between the panel elements and about the peripherythereof, said tubing being open to the volume between the panelelements, a U-shaped polyethylene foam gasket arranged b in said groovefor support of the panel elements, and a sealant between the tubing andthe panel elements, said sealant also being arranged between the edgesof said gasket and the sides of said groove, said sealant beingnon-adhering to said gasket.

6. A tubing according to claim 5, wherein said tubing is filled withsilica gel.

References ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,272,309 Loebel Aug. 16, 1932 2,597,097 Haven May 20, 1952 2,838,809Zeolla et al lune 17, 1958 2,934,801 Blaszleowski May 3, 1966 2,974,377Kunkle Mar. 4, 1951 2,979,788 Richardson Apr. 18, 1961 3,061,895Kleinhans Nov. 6, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,142,650 France Apr. 1, 1957

1. IN A PANEL MOUNTING STRUCTURE HAVING A SHEET-LIKE ELEMENT SUPPORTEDIN A GROOVE MEANS OF A FRAME, A RESILIENT GASKET EXTENDING AROUND THEPERIPHERY OF THE SHEETLIKE ELEMENT FOR SUPPORT WITHIN THE GROOVE MEANSOF THE FRAME, AND A SEALANT EXTENDING ABOUT THE SHEET-LIKE ELEMENT ANDINWARDLY SPACED FROM ITS PERIPHERY IN ENGAGEMENT WITH A WALL OF THEGROOVE MEANS, THE GASKET, AND THE SHEET-LIKE ELEMENT, SAID SEALANT BEINGNON-ADHERING TO SAID GASKET BUT BEING ADHESIVELY BONDED TO THESHEET-LIKE ELEMENT AND THE GROOVE MEANS OF THE FRAME.